IoT & Smart Home · head to head
Arduino Cloud vs Thread
Arduino Cloud
IoT & Smart Home
Cloud platform for Arduino IoT devices and applications
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Thread
IoT & Smart Home
IPv6-based mesh networking for smart home devices
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Arduino Cloud the free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention; Thread thread Group publishes six membership levels with annual fees of $750, $7,500, $15,000 and $65,000, and a one-time initiation fee of $35,000 for the top tier
- They diverge on capability: Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Thread covers IPv6 Mesh.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Arduino Cloud and Thread actually diverge.
| Attribute | Arduino Cloud | Thread |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | open-source |
| Platforms | Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard | Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs |
| Founded | 2005 | 2014 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Arduino Cloud
- Device Connectivity
- Cloud Storage
- Real-Time Sync
- Security
- Arduino IDE
- Mobile app
- REST API
- Integration services
Only in Thread
- IPv6 Mesh
- Self-Healing
- Secure
- Low Power
- HomeKit
- Matter
- Smart devices
- Smart home hubs
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Arduino Cloud
- Connecting Arduino boards to a cloud dashboardnot Thread
- Over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devicesnot Thread
- Logging sensor data and charting it over timenot Thread
- Triggering notifications from device thresholdsnot Thread
- Classroom IoT projects on the School plannot Thread
Thread
- Low power IPv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devicesnot Arduino Cloud
- Interoperable device networking underneath Matternot Arduino Cloud
- Certifying wireless products for network interoperabilitynot Arduino Cloud
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Arduino Cloud
- The free plan allows 2 connected devices, 5 variables each and one day of data retention
- Free accounts are limited to 25 compilations a day and 10 trigger notifications a day
- The Maker plan at $72 a year lifts devices to 25 and retention to 3 months, still for a single user
- Team pricing jumps to $1,000 a year
- Two years of data retention and unlimited ingestion require Enterprise
Thread
- Thread Group publishes six membership levels with annual fees of $750, $7,500, $15,000 and $65,000, and a one-time initiation fee of $35,000 for the top tier
- Certifying a product and using the Thread certification logo requires Thread Group membership
- Free access to the Thread Test Harness is restricted to higher membership levels; lower levels only get the option to purchase it
- Voting in work groups, chairing committees and a board seat are reserved for the paid upper membership levels
- The Implementer level is described as being for white-label or rebranded certified products only
- Academic membership is open only to organizations with fewer than 50 employees
Pricing, plan by plan
Arduino Cloud
Free- MakerFree
- 2 devices
- Basic features
- Cloud access
- Maker Plus$7/month
- Up to 10 devices
- Advanced features
- Better storage
Thread
Free- Open ProtocolFree
- IPv6 mesh
- Secure
- Self-healing
Which should you pick?
Choose Arduino Cloud if
- You need device connectivity.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard.
- You also want cloud storage.
Choose Thread if
- You need ipv6 mesh.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs.
- You also want self-healing.
Questions people ask
- Is Arduino Cloud or Thread better?
- Neither clearly leads. Arduino Cloud starts at Free and Thread at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Arduino Cloud or Thread?
- Arduino Cloud starts at Free and Thread at Free.
- Does Arduino Cloud or Thread run on more platforms?
- Arduino Cloud runs on Arduino devices, Cloud, Mobile app, Web dashboard. Thread runs on Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs.
- Can I use Arduino Cloud for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Arduino Cloud best used for?
- Arduino Cloud is most often used for connecting arduino boards to a cloud dashboard, over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devices, logging sensor data and charting it over time, triggering notifications from device thresholds. Of those, connecting arduino boards to a cloud dashboard and over-the-air firmware updates to deployed devices are not what Thread is typically brought in for.
- What can Arduino Cloud do that Thread cannot?
- Arduino Cloud covers Device Connectivity, Cloud Storage, Real-Time Sync, Security. Thread covers IPv6 Mesh, Self-Healing, Secure, Low Power.